Her voice cracked and she wiped her eyes as she described how much the Veterans Day event meant to her.

"It gives us a sense of shared loss," Ellison said. "It makes you feel good to know there's so many people who really do care."

Ellison was one of an estimated 400 veterans, family members and supporters gathered at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center to honor veterans past and present during A Night of Thanks on Tuesday.

The event was hosted by the Lubbock chapter of America Supports You Texas, an Amarillo-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating United States veterans and their families.

Chapter president Jason Robinson said the event was designed to say "thank you" to the men and women who have served the U.S., as well as their families.

He expressed the group's philosophy in his opening remarks to the assembly of veterans.

"By our opinion, when you enlisted, you signed a blank check for the freedom of America," Robinson said.

The atmosphere in the auditorium was aptly patriotic.

The flags of the five branches of service, as well as a prisoner of war flag, hung over the stage, with the speakers and musicians silhouetted against a giant U.S. flag.

A band played patriotic-tinged music between presentations honoring former prisoners of war, families who have lost loved ones in battle and those who served and returned home.

The night had a strong Christian theme, with prayers and numerous references to Scripture.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends," quoted Robinson from John 15:13 in reference to service men and women who have sacrificed their lives for their country. "These soldiers have done just that and they've followed that to the nth degree."

Several of Lubbock's prominent law enforcement officers and public servants spoke, honoring

veterans from each conflict the U.S. has been involved in.

City Councilman Floyd Price honored soldiers from the early part of America's involvement in the Vietnam War and reflected upon his own service beginning in 1963.

"I was so proud to be a part of this great country," Price said. "We knew that our lives were for the freedom of America."

Ushers collected donations at one point, of which 100 percent was to go to the Lubbock Area War Memorial.

Robinson said the crowd donated $760.

The night was summed up by the final statement of Lubbock Police Chief Dale Holton: